I miss the original Sabertooth line of TUF boards with the armour, Yeah it was only for show but mixed with a full cover metal backplate it gave the board a really cool look and feel, These new TUF boards since Z170, Horrible looking, Onwards all look like high end Fisherprice toys.

I miss the original Sabertooth line of TUF boards with the armour, Yeah it was only for show but mixed with a full cover metal backplate it gave the board a really cool look and feel, These new TUF boards since Z170, Horrible looking, Onwards all look like high end Fisherprice toys.

Actually I tested the P67 Armor with and without the armor long ago. If you had a CPU fan that blew down on the CPU as opposed to perpendicular, the temp drop on the VRM, and chipsets with the armor was a difference of 10C!!!!

Mainly because you could close the vents and generate a strong air flow underneath it. I think the Z77/97 also had this design, but then it became less effective. And now.. as you say, just for show.